how do you tell if titanium is titanium?

[wookiee]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152428 - described as pewter colour - but nothing about Ti :|

Think that solves that one then! Thanks.

 

[WD Pro]

The construction of that also favours ally.

WD

 

[bodrobert]

I have a Specialized titanium stem (same as in the linked thread). It is nice, but feels very flexy, so I don't use it. Drop me a PM with an offer if interested.

 

[lewisfoto]

Back to the original question, I have often wondered the same as there does not seem to be a quick practical way to be sure. We know that aluminum must be quite thick to be strong enough to form a stem or a frame, where as titanium can be as thin as steel. But what about smaller bits like bolts? This may seem a bit odd but titanium has a certain look to it (at least the 3/2.5 alloy) So it is like US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart wrote in a 1964 obscenity case, "I know it when I see it."

Steven

 

[royboy2cv]

Put on an off hand grinder , it will give off WHITE sparks , yellow sparks are steel .

 

[Woz]

Dunk whatever it is in brine for a while. Take it out, leave it to dry. If it eventually rusts or corrodes you can shout "Witch" and be rest assured it's not Ti.

 

[Rampage]

If welded then aluminium welds are a lot larger than ti or steel.

 

[euphras_1]

Use a small gas torch or a bunsen burner at low heat output to heat it at some well hidden part of the surface.

-If it first changes from titanium/aluminum grey to yellow and - upon further heating - from yellow to blue, it IS titanium.

- if it stays grey-whitish, it IS aluminum

And this post is meant seriously 100%, NOT a joke. The yellow and blue colours occur during heating because titanium goes through different oxidation stages while it is heated.

 

[Rampage]

Stainless steel also does the same.

 

[euphras_1]

Stainless steel also does the same.

Not as rapid as titanium. Ti stains within a (few) second(s) depending on the amount of heat applied.